I do not often take the time to reflect on what I like about myself. I think in our society we are taught to strive to become what we are not rather than love and accept what we are. We are taught to be modest as well, that we are unlikable if we are too self-assured. I think it is important to look inward and appreciate what we see inside ourselves. So here goes nothing.
I feel one of my biggest strengths as a person is my authenticity. I never try to be someone I am not. I am comfortable with who I am, even when I find myself in social situations where I struggle to fit in. I am secure enough to accept that it is impossible to be liked by everyone, so there is no sense in compromising my identity to try. I tend to present myself with a “take it or leave it” attitude which, interestingly enough, I think makes me liked by more people than if I changed myself to fit in. I think people appreciate that I am genuine.
Another one of my best qualities is my sense of humour. I love to laugh and to make light of any situation I can. I find humour in my mistakes and in life’s inconveniences, all the little things that others might get mad at. My humour makes me a more pleasant person, and fun to be around. It is my way of making friends. I think it also makes me a peaceful and impartial person. My lighthearted spirit prevents me from getting caught up in pettiness, so not only does my humour help me make friends, it also helps me keep them.
If I had to choose what I like most about myself, I think I would say my determination and perseverance. I pursue what I want and I pick myself up when obstacles knock me down. This year I made myself proud by completing my Bachelor’s degree despite a fair share of hardships. Ever since I sustained a mild traumatic brain injury in my late teens, I have had recurring mental and emotional challenges as a residual effect. This year I had to take a full course load in order to finish, and partway through first semester my brain started to shut down. I pushed through, but by the end of the semester I was at my rock bottom. I truly thought I could not go on, but in the end, my determination to finish outweighed my struggles. I finished the semester and had winter break to recharge, but when second semester began I sunk back to rock bottom. I could not see myself finding the mental strength to continue, but I could not bring myself to accept quitting as an option. I did not think I could live with myself if I walked away. I picked myself back up, and in my final semester of my degree, I thrived. I got A+’s is every class, and even achieved 100 percent in my qualitative research class which I had been dreading the most. That said, I think intelligence is another strength of mine.